Then I was introduced to T-Tapp through a blog I love, Empowered Sustenance! She wrote a wonderful introduction to the exercise and health program. I also was intrigued because she wasn't using the program for weight loss specifically. Focusing on the number on the scale was not somewhere I wanted to tread. I went to the T-Tapp site and read. Sounded worth a try to me. I bought the Kindle version of the book on Amazon, read through all the intros and then started the next day- the 7th of March. I took my measurments, took before pictures (yikes!) and struggled through the sequences the first couple of days. I would suggest buying the videos or finding as many as you can on the T-Tapp site and youtube (I hope to buy a package once I outgrow the available material). The written version is very difficult to get a grasp of the tempo and timing of the exercises. I had two days of pretty intense detox- headaches, tiredness and intense hunger (the movements reenergize and flush your lymph system and it can be pretty bad :)). I ate A. LOT. those first two days. I couldn't help it, and it was mainly sugary foods. Then all of the sudden about day 4 everything tasted TOO sweet. I pulled a Tillamook yogurt out of the fridge had a couple bites and couldn't stomach the sweetness. I used to LOVE those regardless of knowing they do contain a lot of sugar! So without consciously trying, my rather annoying sweet tooth has started to dissipate.
The other amazing benefit was the improvement of my lower back pain. I am determined to plant a garden this spring and my back has been concerning me, because of the constant pain. It was better than last winter, but still a bother. By day 3 the pain was all but gone! Once I pushed through day 3 and the feelings of discouragement that can come, I came out day 4, and 5, and 6 feeling incredible!
Check out my measurements too!
bust pecs ribs waist abdomen hips upper thigh (right) (left) lower thigh (right) (left) calf (right) (left) arm (right) (left) Total loss! | STARTING MEASUREMENTS 40" 39" 38 1/2" 37" 42" 43 1/2" 26 25 17 1/2" 18 16 15 1/2" 12 1/2" 12 1/2" | DAY 7 MEASUREMENTS 39" 38 1/2" 37 1/2" 36" 40" 42 1/2" 25 1/2" 25" 17 1/2" 17 1/4" 15 1/2" 15 1/2" 12" 12" 10 1/4"!!!! |
I will soon be done with my 14 day challenge and will take my 14 day measurements. I will drop down to every other day workouts for another 4 weeks and then every two days for another 4 weeks. By the end of May I should be feeling pretty strong and fit. I also am not denying myself food too! I can eat a cookie and not kick myself for it. I am not focused on the scale and calories. My body is naturally coming around to eating, sleeping and moving better! The best thing is once I achieve my goals in order to maintain I have to workout only 1-2 time a week! Once you develop those core muscles it is easy to maintain and use them throughout the day not just at the gym. Also, try the Hoe Downs and you will get a taste for the mental part of the workout too! It is pretty funny initially and then all of the sudden it clicks.
This morning I ran across this blog: This Lovely Place. I have a tendancy to expect myself to be perfect the very first try or have results that are immediate. It just gave me a little extra motivation to stick with it and see what happens. It is fun to come back to a sequence that was very difficult a couple days ago and be able to do it just a little better with greater control and form. Mastering each move a little more each day.
Who knows if this is the answer, because I have thought I had been on to many answers before. All I know is I am enjoying moving again. I am enjoying not being afraid to try again. I am enjoying feeling stronger. I am enjoying having hope again. Such a great feeling! If a size 8 or 6 follows, well all the more icing on the top!